WBC cruiserweight champion Ilunga Makabu believes that he would have toppled Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez – if the fight actually came off as initially speculated.
At the WBC’s 2021 convention, Canelo’s handlers made a shocking request to secure permission for a fight with Makabu for his cruiserweight title. The unexpected request even caught Makabu by surprise.
Canelo, who captured world titles at junior middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight, was aiming to win gold in a fifth weight class.
The fight never came off – as Canelo decided to go in another direction.
He moved back to light heavyweight and suffered a twelve round decision loss at the hands of WBA champion Dmitry Bivol in May.
Canelo, who still has the undisputed crown at 168-pounds, is potentially heading to a rematch with Bivol at some point in 2023.
Makabu would love to revisit that opportunity and has no problem granting Canelo a crack at his title.
“Jumping divisions sometimes is very difficult, but if Canelo still wants to fight me, I’m going to knock him out. I’ll do a lot better than Bivol did,” Makabu told Erika Montoya of DAZN.
“I’m disappointed (that fight didn’t happen last year) because Canelo is the best fighter at the moment and I really want to fight the best and there wasn’t the opportunity, but if he (Canelo) really wants to make history I’m there, I’m waiting and I’m ready. I’m not afraid, I’m not scared.
“I know everyone was waiting for that fight, but I want boxing fans to know. I never asked for the fight with Canelo, Canelo was the one who challenge me out. I’m still champion, but Canelo never came to fight me, but I’m sure Canelo realized that it was complicated to face Junior Makabu.”